Quality Court, WC2A

Quality Court is a courtyard, built around 1700.

A wonderful labyrinth of alleys and courts used to straggle between Chancery Lane and Fetter Lane, but sadly, of these dozens of minute burrows, only a handful now remain. Quality Court, as we might devise from its name, was one of the more ‘classy’ addresses in the district. It was built about 1700, although not specifically with the view of attracting the upper crust of society to its confines, but with its stylish houses and spacious accommodation that is just what happened. When the properties went up for sale they came in droves, but, of course, the dwellings were few and so the speculators made their offers to the highest bidders.

John Strype, writing up his survey in 1720 says this is ‘a very handsome, large and airy Court, lately built, with very handsome brick houses…’ It was then called New Court but resulting from the life style of the new inhabitants was commonly known as Quality Court – much in the same way as we now refer to selected roads where the supremely wealthy reside, as ‘Millionaires Row’. Strype continues ‘for the goodness of the houses, and the inhabitants, is by some called Quality Court.’

Quality Court is still rich in quality with its old stone flag paving and potted shrubbery dotted here and there. Situated at the far end of the Court, at number 45, is the Patent Office, from where patents are issued and where the Patent Roll, recording the patents issued in the United Kingdom within any year, is kept. There is no doubting that this is Quality Court – its name is boldly displayed in wrought iron letters over its covered access in Chancery Lane.

Citation information:	The alleyways and courtyards of London: Q – The Undergroun
	Further citations and sources

Click here to go to a random London street
We now have 466 completed street histories and 47034 partial histories
Find streets or residential blocks within the M25 by clicking STREETS

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCALITY

The Underground Map Whitehall, SW1A Added: 8 Dec 2020 00:24 GMT	Othello takes a bow On 1 November 1604, William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello was presented for the first time, at The Palace of Whitehall. The palace was the main residence of the English monarchs in London from 1530 until 1698. Seven years to the day, Shakespeare’s romantic comedy The Tempest was also presented for the first time, and also at the Palace of Whitehall. Reply
Linda Webb Hungerford Stairs Added: 27 Sep 2021 05:51 GMT	Hungerford Stairs In 1794 my ancestor, George Webb, Clay Pipe Maker, lived in Hungerford Stairs, Strand. Source: Wakefields Merchant & Tradesmens General Directory London Westminster 1794 Source: Hungerford Stairs Reply
Roy Batham Covent Garden Added: 7 Jan 2022 07:17 GMT	Smithy in Longacre John Burris 1802-1848 Listed 1841 census as Burroughs was a blacksmith, address just given as Longacre. Source: Batham/Wiseman - Family Tree Reply
Reg Carr Elstree Street, N1C Added: 10 Feb 2021 12:11 GMT	Campbellite Meeting In 1848 the Campbellites (Disciples of Christ) met in Elstree Street, where their congregation was presided over by a pastor named John Black. Their appointed evangelist at the time was called David King, who later became the Editor of the British Millennial Harbinger. The meeting room was visited in July 1848 by Dr John Thomas, who spoke there twice on his two-year ’mission’ to Britain. Reply
Jeff Owen Owen Street, EC1V Added: 20 Mar 2021 16:18 GMT	Owen’s School Owen Street is the site of Owen’s Boys’ School. The last school was built in 1881 and was demolished in the early 1990s to make way for the development which stand there today. It was a “Direct Grant” grammar school and was founded in 1613 by Dame Alice Owen. What is now “Owen’s Fields” was the playground between the old school and the new girls’ school (known then as “Dames Alice Owen’s School” or simply “DAOS”). The boys’ school had the top two floors of that building for their science labs. The school moved to Potters Bar in Hertfordshire in 1971 and is now one of the top State comprehensive schools in the country. The old building remained in use as an accountancy college and taxi-drivers’ “knowledge” school until it was demolished. The new building is now part of City and Islington College. Owen’s was a fine school. I should know because I attended there from 1961 to 1968. Reply
Scott Hatton Blackmoor Street, WC2B Added: 11 Sep 2020 19:47 GMT	Millions Of Rats In Busy London The Daily Mail on 14 April 1903 reported "MILLIONS OF RATS IN BUSY LONDON" A rat plague, unprecedented in the annals of London, has broken out on the north side of the Strand. The streets principally infested are Catherine street, Drury lane, Blackmore street, Clare Market and Russell street. Something akin to a reign of terror prevails among the inhabitants after nightfall. Women refuse to pass along Blackmore street and the lower parts of Stanhope street after dusk, for droves of rats perambulate the roadways and pavements, and may be seen running along the window ledges of the empty houses awaiting demolition by the County Council in the Strand to Holborn improvement scheme. The rats, indeed, have appeared in almost-incredible numbers. "There are millions of them," said one shopkeeper, and his statement was supported by other residents. The unwelcome visitors have been evicted from their old haunts by the County Council housebreakers, and are now busily in search of new homes. The Gaiety Restaurant has been the greatest sufferer. Rats have invaded the premises in such force that the managers have had to close the large dining room on the first floor and the grill rooms on the ground floor and in the basement. Those three spacious halls which have witnessed many as semblages of theatre-goers are now qui:e deserted. Behind the wainscot of the bandstand in the grillroom is a large mound of linen shreds. This represents 1728 serviettes carried theee by the rats. In the bar the removal of a panel disclosed the astonishing fact that the rats have dragged for a distance of seven or eight yards some thirty or forty beer and wine bottles and stacked them in such a fashion as to make comfortable sleeping places. Mr Williams. the manager of the restaurant, estimates that the rats have destroyed L200 worth of linen. Formerly the Gaiety Restaurant dined 2000 persons daily; no business whatever is now done in this direction. Reply
Bruce McTavish Lambeth North Added: 11 Mar 2021 11:37 GMT	Kennington Road Lambeth North station was opened as Kennington Road and then Westminster Bridge Road before settling on its final name. It has a wonderful Leslie Green design. Reply
Bernard Miller Windsor Terrace, N1 Added: 12 Apr 2022 17:36 GMT	My mother and her sister were born at 9 Windsor Terrace My mother, Millie Haring (later Miller) and her sister Yetta Haring (later Freedman) were born here in 1922 and 1923. With their parents and older brother and sister, they lived in two rooms until they moved to Stoke Newington in 1929. She always said there were six rooms, six families, a shared sink on the first floor landing and a toilet in the backyard. Reply
MCNALLY Blackfriars Added: 17 May 2021 09:42 GMT	Blackfriars (1959 - 1965) I lived in Upper Ground from 1959 to 1964 I was 6 years old my parents Vince and Kitty run the Pub The Angel on the corner of Upper Ground and Bodies Bridge. I remember the ceiling of the cellar was very low and almost stretched the length of Bodies Bridge. The underground trains run directly underneath the pub. If you were down in the cellar when a train was coming it was quite frightening Reply
Tom Blackfriars Added: 21 May 2021 23:07 GMT	Blackfriars What is, or was, Bodies Bridge? Reply
Richard Roques Hungerford Stairs Added: 21 Jan 2021 16:53 GMT	Buckingham Street residents Here in Buckingham Street lived Samuel Pepys the diarist, Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling Reply
Jude Allen Orange Street, WC2H Added: 29 Jul 2021 07:53 GMT	Bra top I jave a jewelled item of clothong worn by a revie girl. It is red with diamante straps. Inside it jas a label Bermans Revue 16 Orange Street but I cannot find any info online about the revue only that 16 Orange Street used to be a theatre. Does any one know about the revue. I would be intesrested to imagine the wearer of the article and her London life. Reply
Lena White Conduit Street, N1 Added: 18 Mar 2021 13:08 GMT	White Conduit Street, N1 My mum, Rosina Wade of the Wade and Hannam family in the area of Chapel Street and Parkfield Street, bought her first “costume” at S Cohen’s in White Conduit Street. Would have probably been about 1936 or thereabouts. She said that he was a small man but an expert tailor. I hope that Islington Council preserve the shop front as it’s a piece of history of the area. Mum used to get her high heel shoes from an Italian shoe shop in Chapel Street. She had size 2 feet and they would let her know when a new consignment of size 2 shoes were in. I think she was a very good customer. She worked at Killingbacks artificial flower maker in Northampton Square and later at the Halifax bombers factory north of Edgware where she was a riveter. Reply
sam Burdett Street, SE1 Added: 31 Dec 2021 00:54 GMT	Burdett Street, SE1 I was on 2nd July 1952, in Burdett chambers (which is also known as Burdett buildings)on Burdett street Reply
Erin Windsor Terrace, N1 Added: 2 May 2022 01:33 GMT	Windsor Terrace, N1 hello Reply

LATEST LONDON-WIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT

Watts Beethoven Street School Added: 17 May 2022 20:29 GMT	Baeethoven St School, also an Annex for Paddington College of FE. In the early 70’s I took a two year science course at Paddington CFE. The science classes were held on weekday evenings at Beethoven Street school, overseen by chemistry teacher, Mr Tattershall. Reply
Southover, N12 Added: 25 Apr 2022 22:11 GMT	Southover, N12 Everyone knows Central Woodside is the place to be. Ever since kdog moved from finchtown, Woodside has been thriving. Reply
Bernard Miller Windsor Terrace, N1 Added: 12 Apr 2022 17:36 GMT	My mother and her sister were born at 9 Windsor Terrace My mother, Millie Haring (later Miller) and her sister Yetta Haring (later Freedman) were born here in 1922 and 1923. With their parents and older brother and sister, they lived in two rooms until they moved to Stoke Newington in 1929. She always said there were six rooms, six families, a shared sink on the first floor landing and a toilet in the backyard. Reply
Brian Lynch Staples Corner, NW2 Added: 10 Apr 2022 13:38 GMT	Staples Mattress Factory An architect’s design of the Staples Mattress Factory An image found on the website of Dalzell’s Beds, in Armagh Northern Ireland. Reply
Heathrow Road, TW6 Added: 19 Feb 2022 16:21 GMT	Harmondsworth (1939 - 1965) I lived in a house (Lostwithiel) on the Bath Road opposite the junction with Tythe Barn Lane, now a hotel site. Initially, aircraft used one of the diagonal runways directly in line with our house. I attended Sipson Primary School opposite the Three Magpies and celebrated my 21st birthday at The Peggy Bedford in 1959. Reply
Emma Seif Hill Street, London Added: 25 Jan 2022 19:06 GMT	Birth of the Bluestocking Society In about 1750, Elizabeth Montagu began hosting literary breakfasts in her home at 23 (now 31) Hill Street. These are considered the first meetings of the Bluestocking society. Reply
Golborne Gardens, W10 Added: 14 Jan 2022 03:06 GMT	Goldbourne Gardens W 10 I lived in Goldbourne Gardens in the 50,s very happy big bomb site Reply
Chris Nash Shortlands Close, DA17 Added: 10 Jan 2022 22:54 GMT	Shortlands Close, DA17 Shortlands Close and the flats along it were constructed in the mid-1990s. Prior to this, the area was occupied by semi-detached houses with large gardens, which dated from the post-war period and were built on the site of Railway Farm. The farm and its buildings spanned the length of Abbey Road, on the south side of the North Kent Line railway tracks. Reply

NEARBY LOCATIONS OF NOTE

Alsatia Alsatia was the name given to an area lying north of the River Thames covered by the Whitefriars monastery.

Alsatia

City Temple The City Temple is a Nonconformist church on Holborn Viaduct.

City Temple

Fleet Market The Fleet Market was a market erected in 1736 on the newly culverted River Fleet.

Fleet Market

Lisle’s Tennis Court Lisle’s Tennis Court was a building off Portugal Street in Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London.

Lisle’s Tennis Court

Old and New London: Temple Bar Temple Bar was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, in 1670–72.

Old and New London: Temple Bar

St Andrew The Church of St Andrew, Holborn stands within the Ward of Farringdon Without.

St Andrew

St Etheldreda’s Church St Etheldreda’s Church is in Ely Place, off Charterhouse Street in Holborn, London.

St Etheldreda’s Church

Staple Inn Staple Inn is London’s only surviving sixteenth-century domestic building, situated on the south side of High Holborn.

Staple Inn

Temple Bar Temple Bar is the point in London where Fleet Street, City of London, becomes the Strand, Westminster, and where the City of London traditionally erected a barrier to regulate trade into the city.

Temple Bar

Thavie’s Inn Thavie’s Inn was a former Inn of Chancery, associated with Lincoln’s Inn, established at Holborn, near the site of the present side street and office block still known as Thavies Inn Buildings.

Thavie’s Inn

The 1860s map of London "Stanford’s Library Map of London and its Suburbs" was published in 1862

The 1860s map of London

Weston’s Music Hall Weston’s Music Hall was a music hall and theatre that opened in 1857. In 1906, the theatre became known as the Holborn Empire.

Weston’s Music Hall

NEARBY STREETS

Africa House, WC2A Residential block

Africa House, WC2A

Aldwych, WC2B The name Aldwych derives from the Old English eald and wic meaning ’old trading town’ or ’old marketplace’; the name was later applied to the street and district.

Aldwych, WC2B

Andrews Crosse, EC4A Andrews Crosse stood on the site of the courtyard of the former Andrews Crosse Inn.

Andrews Crosse, EC4A

Ashentree Court, EC4Y Ashentree Court was named after the ashen trees formerly located here at the Whitefriars’ monastery.

Ashentree Court, EC4Y

Atkin Building, WC1R Atkin Building is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Atkin Building, WC1R

Australia House, WC2B Residential block

Australia House, WC2B

Baldwins Gardens, EC1N Baldwin Gardens runs between Gray’s Inn Road and Leather Lane.

Baldwins Gardens, EC1N

Barnard’s Inn, EC4A Barnard’s Inn lies near Holborn Circus.

Barnard’s Inn, EC4A

Bartlett’s Buildings, EC4A Bartlett’s Buildings was the name of a street situated off of Holborn Circus

Bartlett’s Buildings, EC4A

Bedford Row, WC1R Bedford Row runs between Theobalds Road and Sandland Street.

Bedford Row, WC1R

Bell Yard, EC4A Bell Yard is a small lane off the Strand where the Bell hostel once stood.

Bell Yard, EC4A

Benjamin Street, EC1M Benjamin Street is one of the streets of London in the EC1M postal area.

Benjamin Street, EC1M

Bishop’s Court, WC2A Bishop’s Court lies off Chancery Lane.

Bishop’s Court, WC2A

Blackmoor Street, WC2B Blackmoor Street was in the Drury Lane slum.

Blackmoor Street, WC2B

Bleeding Heart Yard, EC1N Bleeding Heart Yard is a courtyard off of Greville Street.

Bleeding Heart Yard, EC1N

Bolt Court, EC4A Bolt Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Bolt Court, EC4A

Bouverie Street, EC4Y Bouverie Street is named for the Pleydell-Bouveries, Earls of Radnor, who were landowners in this area.

Bouverie Street, EC4Y

Breams Buildings, EC4A Breams Buildings is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Breams Buildings, EC4A

Bride Court, EC4Y Bride Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Bride Court, EC4Y

Bride Lane, EC4Y Bride Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Bride Lane, EC4Y

Bridewell Place, EC4V Bridewell Place is one of the streets of London in the EC4V postal area.

Bridewell Place, EC4V

Brooke Street, EC1N Brooke Street runs north off of Holborn.

Brooke Street, EC1N

Carey Street, WC2A Carey Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Carey Street, WC2A

Catton Street, WC2B Catton Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Catton Street, WC2B

Chancery Lane, WC2A Chancery Lane has formed the western boundary of the City of London since 1994, having previously been divided between the London boroughs of Westminster and Camden.

Chancery Lane, WC2A

Chichester Rents, WC2A Chichester Rents is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Chichester Rents, WC2A

Clare Market, WC2A Clare Market is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Clare Market, WC2A

Clement’s Inn, WC2R Clement’s Inn is a road in the WC2R postcode area

Clement’s Inn, WC2R

Cliffords Inn Passage, EC4Y Cliffords Inn Passage is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Cliffords Inn Passage, EC4Y

Cliffords Inn, EC4A Cliffords Inn is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Cliffords Inn, EC4A

Crane Court, EC4Y Crane Court lay beside the Two Crane Inn Tavern.

Crane Court, EC4Y

Crystal Wharf, WC2B A street within the WC2B postcode

Crystal Wharf, WC2B

Cursitor Street, EC4A Cursitor Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Cursitor Street, EC4A

Dane Street, WC1R Dane Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Dane Street, WC1R

Devereux Court, EC4Y Devereux Court lies on the south side of the Strand, opposite the Law Courts.

Devereux Court, EC4Y

Dorset Rise, EC4Y Dorset Rise is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Dorset Rise, EC4Y

Dyer’s Buildings, EC1N This is a street in the EC1N postcode area

Dyer’s Buildings, EC1N

Eagle Street, WC1R Eagle Street runs parallel to High Holborn, one block north.

Eagle Street, WC1R

East Harding Street, EC4A This is a street in the EC4A postcode area

East Harding Street, EC4A

Eldons Passage, EC1N A street within the EC1N postcode

Eldons Passage, EC1N

Ely Court, EC1N Ely Court is one of the streets of London in the EC1N postal area.

Ely Court, EC1N

Ely Place, EC1N Ely Place is a gated road at the southern tip of the London Borough of Camden.

Ely Place, EC1N

Falcon Court, EC4Y Falcon Court is a courtyard off the south side of Fleet Street between Chancery Lane and Fetter Lane.

Falcon Court, EC4Y

Farringdon Street, EC1A The building of Farringdon Street is considered one of the greatest urban engineering achievements of the 19th century.

Farringdon Street, EC1A

Farringdon Street, EC4M Farringdon Street was constructed over the Fleet river.

Farringdon Street, EC4M

Fetter Lane, EC4A Fetter Lane is corrupted from ’Fautre’ which was the name for a spear rest - spears were made close by.

Fetter Lane, EC4A

Field Court, WC1R Field Court is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Field Court, WC1R

Fisher Street, WC1R Fisher Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Fisher Street, WC1R

Fleet Street, EC4A Fleet Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Fleet Street, EC4A

Fleet Street, EC4Y Fleet Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Fleet Street, EC4Y

Fleur De Lis Court, EC4A Fleur De Lis Court was situated off Fetter Lane.

Fleur De Lis Court, EC4A

Fulwood Place, WC1R Fulwood Place is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Fulwood Place, WC1R

Furnival Street, EC4A Furnival Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Furnival Street, EC4A

Gate Street, WC2A Gate Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Gate Street, WC2A

Gough Square, EC4A Gough Square is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Gough Square, EC4A

Gravel Street, EC1N Gravel Street is one of the streets of London in the EC1N postal area.

Gravel Street, EC1N

Grays Inn Place, WC1R Grays Inn Place is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Grays Inn Place, WC1R

Grays Inn Square Chambers, WC1R Grays Inn Square Chambers is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Grays Inn Square Chambers, WC1R

Grays Inn Square, WC1R Grays Inn Square is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Grays Inn Square, WC1R

Great New Street, EC4A Great New Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Great New Street, EC4A

Great Turnstile, WC1V This is a street in the WC1V postcode area

Great Turnstile, WC1V

Greville Street, EC1N Greville Street is one of the streets of London in the EC1N postal area.

Greville Street, EC1N

Gunpowder Square, EC4A Gunpowder Square is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Gunpowder Square, EC4A

Hand Court, WC1R Hand Court is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Hand Court, WC1R

Hardwicke Building, WC2A Hardwicke Building is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Hardwicke Building, WC2A

Hare Court, EC4Y Hare Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Hare Court, EC4Y

Hare Place, EC4Y Hare Place is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Hare Place, EC4Y

Hat and Mitre Court, EC4Y Hat and Mitre Court is a road in the EC1M postcode area

Hat and Mitre Court, EC4Y

Hatton Garden, EC1N Hatton Garden is a street and area noted as London’s jewellery quarter and centre of the UK diamond trade.

Hatton Garden, EC1N

High Holborn, WC1V High Holborn was part of the old road from Newgate and the Tower to the gallows at Tyburn.

High Holborn, WC1V

Hind Court, EC4Y Hind Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Hind Court, EC4Y

Holborn Circus, EC1N Holborn Circus is a junction of five highways in the City of London, on the boundary between Holborn, Hatton Garden and Smithfield.

Holborn Circus, EC1N

Holborn Viaduct, EC1A Holborn Viaduct is a road bridge in London and the name of the street which crosses it.

Holborn Viaduct, EC1A

Holborn, EC1N Holborn commemorates the River Fleet, also known as the Holbourne stream.

Holborn, EC1N

Hood Court, EC4Y Hood Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Hood Court, EC4Y

Houghton Square, WC2B Houghton Square is a road in the SW9 postcode area

Houghton Square, WC2B

Houghton Street, WC2A Houghton Street is a street which has been ’demoted’ over time.

Houghton Street, WC2A

Inner Temple Lane, EC4Y Inner Temple Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Inner Temple Lane, EC4Y

Inner Temple, EC4A Inner Temple is a location in London.

Inner Temple, EC4A

Jockeys Fields, WC1R Jockeys Fields is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Jockeys Fields, WC1R

Kean Street, WC2B Kean Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2B postal area.

Kean Street, WC2B

Keeley Street, WC2B Keeley Street has a dual history

Keeley Street, WC2B

Kemble Street, WC2B Kemble Street is a road in the WC2B postcode area

Kemble Street, WC2B

King’s Bench Walk Temple, EC4Y A street within the EC4Y postcode

King’s Bench Walk Temple, EC4Y

Kings Bench Walk, EC4Y Kings Bench Walk is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Kings Bench Walk, EC4Y

Kingsway, WC2A Kingsway is one of the streets of London in the WC2B postal area.

Kingsway, WC2A

Kingsway, WC2B This is a street in the WC2A postcode area

Kingsway, WC2B

Kirby Street, EC1N Kirby Street was named for Christopher Hatton’s Kirby House in Northamptonshire.

Kirby Street, EC1N

Lamb’s Conduit Passage, WC1R This is a street in the WC1R postcode area

Lamb’s Conduit Passage, WC1R

Leather Lane, EC1N Leather Lane is a street one block west of Hatton Garden, in the Holborn area of London.

Leather Lane, EC1N

Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A Lincoln’s Inn Fields is the largest public square in London, laid out in the 1630s under the initiative of the speculative builder William Newton.

Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A

Lion Court, WC1R Lion Court is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Lion Court, WC1R

Little New Street, EC4A Little New Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Little New Street, EC4A

Little Turnstile, WC2A Little Turnstile is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Little Turnstile, WC2A

London Central Markets, EC4A London Central Markets is one of the streets of London in the EC1A postal area.

London Central Markets, EC4A

London Silver Vaults, WC1V London Silver Vaults is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

London Silver Vaults, WC1V

Ludgate Circus, EC4M Ludgate Circus is one of the streets of London in the EC4M postal area.

Ludgate Circus, EC4M

Magpie Alley, EC4Y Magpie Alley marks the position occupied by the dorter (dormitory) of the Friary of the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel, commonly called the Whitefriars Monastery

Magpie Alley, EC4Y

Masters House Temple Church, EC4Y Masters House Temple Church is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Masters House Temple Church, EC4Y

Melbourne Place, WC2B Melbourne Place is a road in the WC2B postcode area

Melbourne Place, WC2B

Mitre Court Buildings, EC4Y Mitre Court Buildings is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Mitre Court Buildings, EC4Y

New Fetter Lane, EC1N New Fetter Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC1N postal area.

New Fetter Lane, EC1N

New Fetter Lane, EC4A New Fetter Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

New Fetter Lane, EC4A

New Square Passage, WC2A This is a street in the WC2A postcode area

New Square Passage, WC2A

New Square, WC2A New Square is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

New Square, WC2A

New Street Square, EC4A New Street Square is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

New Street Square, EC4A

North East Wing Bush House, WC2R Residential block

North East Wing Bush House, WC2R

Norwich Street, EC4A Norwich Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Norwich Street, EC4A

Old Buildings, WC2A Old Buildings is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Old Buildings, WC2A

Old Mitre Court, EC4Y Old Mitre Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Old Mitre Court, EC4Y

Old Seacoal Lane, EC4M Old Seacoal Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4M postal area.

Old Seacoal Lane, EC4M

Old Square, WC2A Old Square is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Old Square, WC2A

Pemberton Row, EC4A Sir James Pemberton was Lord Mayor of London in 1611, and a member of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.

Pemberton Row, EC4A

Pleydell Street, EC4Y Pleydell Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Pleydell Street, EC4Y

Plough Place, EC4A Plough Place is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Plough Place, EC4A

Ploughs Place, EC4A Ploughs Place is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Ploughs Place, EC4A

Plumtree Court, EC4A Plumtree Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Plumtree Court, EC4A

Poppins Court, EC4A Poppins Court is an historic alley off Fleet Street.

Poppins Court, EC4A

Portsmouth Street, WC2A Portsmouth Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Portsmouth Street, WC2A

Portugal Street, WC2A Portugal Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Portugal Street, WC2A

Princeton Street, WC1R Princeton Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Princeton Street, WC1R

Procter Street, WC1V Procter Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Procter Street, WC1V

Proctor Street, WC1V Proctor Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Proctor Street, WC1V

Raymond Buildings, WC1R Raymond Buildings is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Raymond Buildings, WC1R

Red Lion Court, EC4A Red Lion Court forms part of labyrinth of little passages behind the shops on the north side of Fleet Street.

Red Lion Court, EC4A

Red Lion Square, WC1R Red Lion Square was built from the late 1680s by speculator Nicholas Barbon.

Red Lion Square, WC1R

Red Lion Street, WC1R Red Lion Street connects High Holborn with Theobalds Road.

Red Lion Street, WC1R

Rolls Buildings, EC4A Rolls Buildings is a road in the WC2A postcode area

Rolls Buildings, EC4A

Rolls Passage, WC2A Rolls Passage is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Rolls Passage, WC2A

Saffron Hill, EC1N Saffron Hill’s name derives the time that it was part of an estate on which saffron grew.

Saffron Hill, EC1N

Salisbury Court, EC4Y Salisbury Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Salisbury Court, EC4Y

Salisbury Square, EC4Y Salisbury Square is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Salisbury Square, EC4Y

Sandland Street, WC1R Sandland Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Sandland Street, WC1R

Sardinia House, WC2A Residential block

Sardinia House, WC2A

Sardinia Street, WC2A Sardinia Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Sardinia Street, WC2A

Sardinia Street, WC2B Sardinia Street, formerly Duke Street, was a street that ran from Prince’s Street in the south to the western side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the north.

Sardinia Street, WC2B

Serjeants Inn, EC4Y Serjeants Inn is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Serjeants Inn, EC4Y

Serle Street, WC2A Serle Street is a road in the WC2A postcode area

Serle Street, WC2A

Sheffield Street, WC2A Sheffield Street is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Sheffield Street, WC2A

Shoe Lane, EC4A Shoe Lane is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Shoe Lane, EC4A

Silver Vaults, WC1V Silver Vaults is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Silver Vaults, WC1V

South Square, WC1X South Square is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

South Square, WC1X

Southampton Buildings, WC2A Southampton Buildings marks the site of the house of the 4th Earl of Southampton, son of Shakespeare’s patron.

Southampton Buildings, WC2A

St Andrew Street, EC4A St Andrew Street is the northern extension of Shoe Lane.

St Andrew Street, EC4A

St Bride Street, EC4A St Bride Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

St Bride Street, EC4A

St Brides Avenue, EC4Y St Brides Avenue is a narrow alley which leaves Fleet Street almost opposite Shoe Lane.

St Brides Avenue, EC4Y

St Clement’s Passage, WC2A St Clement’s Passage is a road in the WC2A postcode area

St Clement’s Passage, WC2A

St Clements Lane, WC2A St Clements Lane is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

St Clements Lane, WC2A

St Cross Street, EC1N St Cross Street is one of the streets of London in the EC1N postal area.

St Cross Street, EC1N

St Giles House, WC2B Residential block

St Giles House, WC2B

St. Bride Street, EC4A A street within the EC4A postcode

St. Bride Street, EC4A

Staple Inn Buildings North, WC1X Staple Inn Buildings North is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Staple Inn Buildings North, WC1X

Staple Inn Buildings, WC1V Staple Inn Buildings is part of historic Staple Inn.

Staple Inn Buildings, WC1V

Staple Inn Buildings, WC1X Staple Inn Buildings is one of the streets of London in the WC1V postal area.

Staple Inn Buildings, WC1X

Star Yard, WC2A Star Yard is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Star Yard, WC2A

Stone Buildings, WC2A Stone Buildings is one of the streets of London in the WC2A postal area.

Stone Buildings, WC2A

Stonecutter Street, EC4A Stonecutter Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Stonecutter Street, EC4A

Strand, EC4A This is a street in the EC4A postcode area

Strand, EC4A

Tavistock Street, WC2B Tavistock Street is a road in the WC2B postcode area

Tavistock Street, WC2B

Temple Chambers, EC4Y Temple Chambers is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Temple Chambers, EC4Y

Temple, EC4Y A street within the EC4Y postcode

Temple, EC4Y

The Arcade, WC2B The Arcade is one of the streets of London in the WC2B postal area.

The Arcade, WC2B

The Australia Centre, WC2B The Australia Centre is one of the streets of London in the WC2B postal area.

The Australia Centre, WC2B

Theobald’s Road, WC1N Theobald’s Road is a road in the WC1R postcode area

Theobald’s Road, WC1N

Theobalds Road, WC1N Theobalds Road is one of the streets of London in the WC1X postal area.

Theobalds Road, WC1N

Took’s Court, EC4A Took’s Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Took’s Court, EC4A

Verulam Buildings, WC1R Verulam Buildings is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Verulam Buildings, WC1R

Verulam Street, WC1X Verulam Street is one of the streets of London in the WC1X postal area.

Verulam Street, WC1X

Warwick Court, WC1R Warwick Court is one of the streets of London in the WC1R postal area.

Warwick Court, WC1R

Waterhouse Square, EC1N Waterhouse Square is one of the streets of London in the EC1N postal area.

Waterhouse Square, EC1N

Whetstone Park, WC2A Whetstone Park is a road in the WC2A postcode area

Whetstone Park, WC2A

Whitefriars Street, EC4Y Whitefriars Street is one of the streets of London in the EC4Y postal area.

Whitefriars Street, EC4Y

Wild Court, WC2B Wild Court leads west from the Kingsway.

Wild Court, WC2B

Wine Office Court, EC4A Wine Office Court is one of the streets of London in the EC4A postal area.

Wine Office Court, EC4A

Yorkshire Grey Yard, WC1V Yorkshire Grey Yard lies off of Eagle Street, WC1

Yorkshire Grey Yard, WC1V

NEARBY PUBS

All Bar One Holborn This is a bar which was still existing in 2018.

All Bar One Holborn

Brookes Brother Wine Bar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Brookes Brother Wine Bar

Cella Karaoke Lounge This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Cella Karaoke Lounge

City of York This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

City of York

Corney & Barrow Wine Bars This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Corney & Barrow Wine Bars

Dado 54 This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Dado 54

El Vino Fleet Street El Vino Fleet Street

El Vino Fleet Street

Grand Union This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Grand Union

Inn of Court This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Inn of Court

Kanaloa This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Kanaloa

Knights Templar This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Knights Templar

Penderel’s Oak This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Penderel’s Oak

Punch Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Punch Tavern

Secrets This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Secrets

Sir Chrisptopher Hatton This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Sir Chrisptopher Hatton

Sir John Oldcastle This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Sir John Oldcastle

Slug and Lettuce This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Slug and Lettuce

St Brides Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

St Brides Tavern

The Albion This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Albion

The Argyle This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Argyle

The Bleeding Heart Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Bleeding Heart Tavern

The Bountiful Cow This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Bountiful Cow

The Bridewell Theatre This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Bridewell Theatre

The Castle This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Castle

The Crown and Sugar Loaf This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Crown and Sugar Loaf

The Dolphin This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Dolphin

The Draft House This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Draft House

The Enterprise This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Enterprise

The Hack & Hop This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Hack & Hop

The Harrow This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Harrow

The Hon. Soc. Of Gray’s Inn This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Hon. Soc. Of Gray’s Inn

The Hoop & Grapes This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Hoop & Grapes

The Old Bell Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Old Bell Tavern

The Old Nick This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Old Nick

The Old Red Lion This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Old Red Lion

The One Tun This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The One Tun

The Polish Bar (Na Zdrowie) This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Polish Bar (Na Zdrowie)

The Seven Stars This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Seven Stars

The Ship Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Ship Tavern

The Square Pig This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The Square Pig

The White Swan This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

The White Swan

Tipperary This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Tipperary

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

Ye Olde Cock Tavern This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Ye Olde Cock Tavern

Ye Olde Mitre This pub existed immediately prior to the 2020 global pandemic and may still do so.

Ye Olde Mitre

Chancery Lane

Chancery Lane originated as a 'new lane' created by the Knights Templar from their original 'old Temple' on the site of the present Southampton Buildings on Holborn, in order access to their newly acquired property to the south of Fleet Street (the present Temple) sometime before 1161.

Historically, the street was associated with the legal profession, an association which continues to the present day; however, consulting firms, ancillary businesses and the Maughan Library also occupy the street. Lincoln's Inn occupies most of the western side north of Carey Street.

The principal building of the Law Society, the professional body for solicitors in England and Wales, is at No. 113. Ede and Ravenscroft, the oldest tailors in London, have their main (and historic) outlet and offices at No. 93, which is also their outlet for legal dress. The London Silver Vaults are located at the northern end of Chancery Lane.

Note that the marker shows the location of the tube station rather than the street.

Chancery Lane tube station lies at the junction of Holborn and Gray's Inn Road, a short distance from Chancery Lane's northern end.

The station was opened by the Central London Railway (CLR) on 30 July 1900. The original, disused station building is on the north side of High Holborn at nos. 31–33, approximately 400 feet to the west, closer to High Holborn's junction with Chancery Lane. Originally, provided with four lifts between ground and platform levels, the station was rebuilt in the early 1930s to operate with escalators. It was not possible to construct the inclined escalator shaft between the platforms and the existing entrance and so a new sub-surface ticket hall was constructed below the road junction. The old entrance building became redundant and, in recognition of the location of the new entrance, the station was renamed Chancery Lane (Gray's Inn), although the suffix subsequently fell out of use.

It is one of eight London Underground stations which has a deep-level air-raid shelter underneath it. After World War II this was turned into Kingsway telephone exchange. Access to the shelter was via the original station building and lift shaft as well as subsidiary entrances in Furnival Street and Took's Court.

LOCAL PHOTOS

Click here to see map view of nearby Creative Commons images
Click here to see Creative Commons images near to this postcode
Click here to see Creative Commons images tagged with this road (if applicable)

Smithfield Market TUM image id: 1620388545 Licence:	The old wooden Temple Bar Credit: Walter Thornbury TUM image id: 1523115955 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Waterloo Bridge on an 1810 map. TUM image id: 1556885410 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Saint John’s Gate, Clerkenwell, the main gateway to the Priory of Saint John of Jerusalem. The church was founded in the 12th century by Jordan de Briset, a Norman knight. Prior Docwra completed the gatehouse shown in this photograph in 1504. The gateway served as the main entry to the Priory, which was the center of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (the Knights Hospitallers). Credit: Henry Dixon (1880) TUM image id: 1557226611 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Illustration of Fleet Market Credit: William Henry Prior TUM image id: 1530111646 Licence: CC BY 2.0
Mount Pleasant Sorting Office on the north-east corner of Farringdon Road (1910). The present building is on the site of the Coldbath Fields Prison where the punishments were particularly cruel in that they were not only long and physically hard but also pointless. The pub at the back used to open at 9am to serve postal workers. TUM image id: 1620296515 Licence:	William Davenant had Lisle Credit: Henry Herringman, London, 1673 TUM image id: 1522758368 Licence: CC BY 2.0	At the southern end of Carmelite Street in the City of London stood the Victorian-era Whitefriars Fire Station. Credit: Wiki Commons TUM image id: 1623066010 Licence:	Clerkenwell Green (1898) The water fountain shown here became public toilets. TUM image id: 1620298544 Licence:	Coldbath Square in Clerkenwell was named after a cold water well that stood originally in fields. Cold Bath was fed by a spring which was discovered by a Mr Baynes in 1697. The discoverer declared the water had great power in nervous diseases, and "equalled those of St Magnus and St Winnifred". The bathing hours were from 5am to 1pm, the charge two shillings. The old bathhouse was a building with three gables, and had a large garden with four turret summer houses. In 1811 the trustees of the London Fever Hospital bought the property for £3830, but, being driven away by the frightened inhabitants, the ground was sold for building, the bath remaining as late as 1865. TUM image id: 1620296987 Licence:
Doughty Street is a broad tree lined street in the Holborn district. TUM image id: 1443044786 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Farringdon Road and the Metropolitan Railway, 1868. Looking north from Turnmill Street TUM image id: 1498559756 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Farringdon Street, EC4M TUM image id: 1530111130 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Hopton’s Almshouses TUM image id: 1513445642 Licence: CC BY 2.0	Kirby Street sign TUM image id: 1526255978 Licence: CC BY 2.0

In the neighbourhood...

Click an image below for a better view...

The old wooden Temple Bar
Credit: Walter Thornbury
Licence: CC BY 2.0

William Davenant had Lisle
Credit: Henry Herringman, London, 1673
Licence: CC BY 2.0

At the southern end of Carmelite Street in the City of London stood the Victorian-era Whitefriars Fire Station.
Credit: Wiki Commons
Licence:

Clerkenwell Green (1898) The water fountain shown here became public toilets.
Licence:

Doughty Street is a broad tree lined street in the Holborn district.
Licence: CC BY 2.0

Kirby Street sign
Licence: CC BY 2.0

Poppins Court, EC4. This small thoroughfare was originally called Popinjaye Alley. The current name was in use by the late 19th century.
Licence:

Red Lion Street c. 1900, looking north to Javens Chambers and Clerkenwell Road
Licence:

Saffron Hill street sign
Licence: CC BY 2.0

Postcard of the then-new Victoria Embankment (1890s) The Victoria Embankment was primarily designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. It incorporates the main low level interceptor sewer and the underground District Line over which a wide road and riverside walkway were built.
Old London postcard
Licence:

MAP YEAR:	1750	1800	1810	1820	1830	1860	1900	1950	2022	Show map without markers
ZOOM:	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17 18	14 15 16 17	14 15 16 17 18
	TIP: Adjust the MAP YEAR and ZOOM to tweak historical maps